Protestors voice opposition to Enbridge pipeline

ABOUT 100 people of all ages came out to a rally and march to protest against the proposed Enbridge pipeline project a couple of hours before a federal review panel began its hearings here.

Several people made their own signs that questioned whose interests the pipeline would be in, how damaging one oil spill would be, showing opposition to tankers and defending the fish and wildlife habitats that would be affected.

A few speakers took turns talking to the crowd huddled out of the rain under the new bandshell roof at George Little Park, including Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin and former city councillor Bruce Martindale, who said environmentalists shouldn’t have to apologize for their beliefs.

Then the protestors went for a march around the downtown, crossing Park Ave. and past the post office and Coast Inn before turning west onto Lakelse Ave. led by a man on a megaphone, yelling “Enbridge!” to which the others would loudly reply “No!”

The Terrace RCMP kept a watchful eye on the group, with a couple of officers out in the park with their van closeby and at least one police car driving down Lakelse Ave. past the marchers.

Enbridge hearings before a federal review panel started tonight with the first group of registrants giving their 10-minute oral presentations about Enbridge.